Internet users on Virgin Media's L tier of broadband packages are to receive a free upgrade to a faster connection, the company has revealed.

The scheme is part of an overall improvement to Virgin Media's broadband packages and could see some customers move from a top speed of 4 Mbps to 10 Mbps.

By the end of the year the internet service provider's top package is to feature maximum bandwidth of 50 Mbps.

Some 9 million homes are expected to receive access to such speeds, 2.5 times the maximum 20 Mbps currently available from Virgin Media.

Acting chief executive officer Neil Berkett comments: "Virgin Media's cable network gives us a natural superiority over other broadband services and we're delighted to reward our customers with this free upgrade."

He adds that the new top speeds show that the firm has "barely scratched the surface" of what may be achieved.

The L tier represents Virgin Media's mid-range of broadband packages with unlimited usage allowances and both online and telephone technical assistance available.

Use our broadband speed test to find out the speed of your connection and compare potentially faster packages.